Lightquick Web Design - Elements of the past and the future combining to make something not quite as good as either

This category is for interesting downloads, mainly Steampunk widgets for Xwidget, Rainmeter, Yahoo Widgets and KDE Plasma engines.

So, lovers of steampunk stuff, what is a widget?

A widget can be described as "the virtual representation of things lying/standing around on your desk". Sticky notes, clocks, rulers,  the possibilities are endless. The goal of any Widget engine is to simplify the creation of fully theme-able mini-apps that each solve basic desktop-work-related needs and generally improve the usability and beauty of the modern Windows/Mac/Linux desktop."

Please feel free to download and use any of these on your Windows / Mac OS/X / Linux system. As of the end of August 2013 over 890,000+ people have downloaded my steampunk widgets, icons and other stuff from various locations, approx. 1,500+ per day now and all for free.

All you need is to download the widgets for the widget engine of your choice. The majority of these widgets are Yahoo widgets and so your desktop will look the best if you choose it as the engine to steampunk with. I am converting the widgets to Xwidget and KDE one at a time.

Need some help on skinning your desktop - look no further than here: Guide to skinning Windows in a Steampunk Fashion 

May I please ask that if you enjoy using these widgets that you make your feelings known by clicking on the facebook Like This! above - or by leaving some votes for my widgets and icons at Rocketdock here . It goes a little way to keeping me creating new stuff for the desktop.

 >> Download Here

This is an old-fashioned wood, glass, steel and brass Yahoo Widget designed to appeal to the steampunk mind, I suggest it might be a useful addition to your desktop. This slightly wierd clock will keep good time using a human-friendly steampunk interface. The Weird Steampunk Clock Yahoo Widget is a Yahoo widget that runs on your desktop behind all your applications so it does not interfere with your day to day computer functionality. I hope you think it is fun as well as being very useful. This widget was created using the combined skills of myself and Harry Whitfield. I do the graphics and the code, Harry just makes me do it better the second time round.

This widget is eminently usable on windows and Mac OS/X.

Instructions:

The widget functionality is self-explanatory, tinker with it and you will soon get to grips with it.

You will, of course, need Yahoo widgets for this widget to run. Get Yahoo widgets here.   

and the Mac version here: http://desktopwidgets.zenfs.com/4.5.2x10a50/yahoo_widgets_4.5.2.dmg

Full help is available on this widget here at this location.

Download the widget - it will install automatically.

This widget works with Windows XP SP3, it has been tested on Vista Home, Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit, Windows 8 and 10,  also Mac OS/X and it should work on all these with no problems whatsoever.

This is just one more of over 250 steampunk widgets and icons that I have created over the last year. Each will leave your Windows or Mac desktop looking absolutely spiffing. There is a whole set of the little thingies and I must say they do look very steampunk indeed! It will spruce up your desktop and give it a bit of Victorian class.

The only condition for downloading and using is that you donate something, no matter how small, a beer or just leave feedback. Please leave a message and rate the widget as it is the only payment I get for creating this small desktop addition :D

Thanks! Do enjoy the widget.

 >> Download Here

This is a lovely old clock, resizable, that sits on your desktop, moveable, slidable and dragable. New version. Tells time in an old-fashioned way. Can be made to perform any o/s command line function. Download and install in the usual way. Install yahoo widgets first.

You will, of course, need Yahoo widgets for this widget to run. Get Yahoo widgets here.   

and the Mac version here: http://desktopwidgets.zenfs.com/4.5.2x10a50/yahoo_widgets_4.5.2.dmg

Full help is available on this widget here at this location.

 >> Download Here

Here is just one more over 20 widgets and 170 steampunk icons that I have created that will leave your Windows or Mac desktop looking absolutely spiffing. There is a whole set of the little thingies and I must say they do look very steampunk indeed! They really are a suitable replacement for the boring old default icons that come with Windows and Macs &c.

This widget and the others like it will spruce up your desktop and give it a bit of Victorian class. Instructions can be found here:

 >> Download Here

Dieselpunk/Cyberpunk/Steampunk Yahoo thermionic valve nixie tube Xwidget

That title - what a mouthful! but it is worth saying as it is now fully working! - Abilities include being able to turn off the sounds and enable the second indicating tubes. It also now resizes. This is a simple Xwidget that displays a continuous time update on your desktop. It is based upon Nixie tubes that were used as status indicators/displays in the 50/60s - 70s. The originals have a character of their own which this widget aims to replicate.

This Xwidget acts as a simple clock upon your desktop and as an extra benefit it is also a moveable bit of eye-candy. It is a fully working Xwidget. Please feel free to download it.

Running the Xwidget in a javascript engine frees javascript from only running within the captivity of a browser, you will now be able to run these Xwidgets on your Windows desktop as long as you have an engine installed.

The Xwidget engine is here xwidget.com. Both these widgets work with Windows XP SP2-SP3, it has been tested on XP, Vista, Windows 7  and even Windows 8. On top of this the Yahoo widget version also runs on Mac Os/X so it is a truly multi-platform widget. 

This widget works with Windows XP SP3, it has been tested on Vista, Windows 7 and 8 so it should work on these with no problems. 

If you have any problems please post your email queries to our contact page. I will endeavour to answer them as soon as I can.  Full instructions for this widget can be found here:

This product was last tested in the Softpedia Labs on 31st of May 2011. Softpedia guarantees that Steampunk Nixie Tube Clock is 100% Clean, which means it does not contain any form of malware, including but not limited to: spyware, viruses, trojans and backdoors. This software product was tested thoroughly and was found absolutely clean; therefore, it can be installed with no concern by any computer user. 

Note: this award is offered by Softpedia and can be used only by the developer of the software product that received the award.

 >> Download Here

This is a lovely old clock, resizable, that sits on your desktop, moveable, slidable and dragable. New version. Tells time in an old-fashioned way. Can be made to perform any o/s command line function. Download and install in the usual way. Install yahoo widgets first.

You will, of course, need Yahoo widgets for this widget to run. Get Yahoo widgets here.   

and the Mac version here: http://desktopwidgets.zenfs.com/4.5.2x10a50/yahoo_widgets_4.5.2.dmg

Full help is available on this widget here at this location.

 >> Download Here

This is the steampunk thermionic nixie tube Xwidget for the Xwidget engine. The Xwidget is a nice bit of steampunk/cyberpunk and it will look good on your desktop. Operation is simple. This is the same widget as the Yahoo widget version in operation and design. The Xwidget is fully resizable for your desktop. It looks realistic, has sounds and operates with the minimum of fuss.

Running the widget in a javascript engine frees javascript from only running within the captivity of a browser, you will now be able to run these widgets on your Windows desktop as long as you have an engine installed.

The Xwidget engine is here xwidget.com. Both these widgets work with Windows XP SP2-SP3, it has been tested on XP, Vista, Windows 7  and even Windows 8. On top of this the Yahoo widget also runs on Mac Os/X so it is a truly multi-platform widget. 

This widget works with Windows XP SP3, it has been tested on Vista, Windows 7 and 8 so it should work on these with no problems. 

Please let me know what you think of the new version of my nixie tube widget. If you like it, then feel free to leave a comment below.

Full instructions for this widget can be found here:

Steampunk Nixie Tube Widget - was awarded the SOFTPEDIA "100% CLEAN" AWARD This product was last tested in the Softpedia Labs on 15th of October 2014 by Elizabeta Virlan . Softpedia guarantees that Steampunk Nixie Tube Widget is 100% Clean, which means it does not contain any form of malware, including but not limited to: spyware, viruses, trojans and backdoors. This software product was tested thoroughly and was found absolutely clean; therefore, it can be installed with no concern by any computer user.

We perform an installation service - so we can steampunk your desktop if you want us too. If you have a Windows XP/Vista, Windows 7 PC or laptop we can add the steampunk widgets, the leather backdrop, rocketdock launcher and the steampunk icons. Just give us a call here . 

 >> Download Here

Dieselpunk/Cyberpunk/Steampunk Yahoo thermionic valve nixie tube widget

That title - what a mouthful! but it is worth saying as it is now fully working! - Latest changes include ability to turn off the sounds and enable the second indicating tubes. It also now resizes. This is a simple widget that displays a continuous time update on your desktop. It is based upon Nixie tubes that were used as status indicators/displays in the 50/60s - 70s. The originals have a character of their own which this widget aims to replicate. 

replicate. This Yahoo widget acts as a simple clock upon your desktop and as an extra benefit it is also a moveable bit of eye-candy. It is a fully working widget. Please feel free to download it.

You will, of course, need Yahoo widgets for this widget to run. Get Yahoo widgets here.  

Note: This Yahoo widget will continue to be supported regardless of the current state of yahoo widget engine support. It runs in XP/Vista/Windows 7, Windows 8 and Mac OS/X. If you have any problems please post your email queries to our contact page. I will endeavour to answer them as soon as I can.  Full instructions for this widget can be found here:

This product was last tested in the Softpedia Labs on 31st of May 2011. Softpedia guarantees that Steampunk Nixie Tube Clock is 100% Clean, which means it does not contain any form of malware, including but not limited to: spyware, viruses, trojans and backdoors. This software product was tested thoroughly and was found absolutely clean; therefore, it can be installed with no concern by any computer user. 

Note: this award is offered by Softpedia and can be used only by the developer of the software product that received the award.

 >> Download Here

This is the steampunk thermionic nixie tube Yahoo widget. The widget is a nice bit of steampunk/cyberpunk and it will look good on your desktop. Operation is simple. The widget is fully resizable for your desktop. It looks realistic, has sounds and operates with the minimum of fuss.

Running the widget in a javascript engine frees javascript from only running within the captivity of a browser, you will now be able to run these widgets on your Windows/Linux/Mac desktop as long as you have an engine installed.

You will, of course, need the Yahoo widget engine for this widget to run. Get Yahoo widgets here.   

This widget works with Windows XP SP3, it has been tested on Vista, Windows 7 /8 and Mac Os/X so it should work on these with no problems.  There is also an Xwidget version .

Full instructions for this widget can be found here:

 Steampunk Nixie Tube Widget - was awarded the SOFTPEDIA "100% CLEAN" AWARD This product was last tested in the Softpedia Labs on 10th of October 2014 by Elizabeta Virlan Softpedia guarantees that Steampunk Nixie Tube Widget is 100% Clean, which means it does not contain any form of malware, including but not limited to: spyware, viruses, trojans and backdoors. This software product was tested thoroughly and was found absolutely clean; therefore, it can be installed with no concern by any computer user.

We perform an installation service - so we can steampunk your desktop if you want us too. If you have a Windows XP/Vista, Windows 7 PC or laptop we can add the steampunk widgets, the leather backdrop, rocketdock launcher and the steampunk icons. Just give us a call here . 

 >> Download Here

This is the Steampunk Orrery widget Mark II - This is the new version that provides a lot more animation and extra functionality.

UPDATE: It provides a daily memorandum function via a truly steampunk interface. Select a date via the calendar ring and click the date shown and it will allow you to enter a memo or reminder. You can use the ring to select future or past memos and whilst you are doing so the orrery will allow you to reflect on the passage of time and the true nature of this force that controls our lives. Well, you might...

The calendar ring rotates by mouse control, the date displays according to ring position. The inner earth and moon rotate, the moon around the earth. The earth rotates around the central glow, roughly following the track of the window circular frame. The inner wheel with lots of bolts, counter-rotates as the main calendar ring rotates. Clicking on the moon causes the moon to expand so that you can see the phases of the moon according to any date you choose. Clicking on the earth causes the earth to enlarge shoing you an image of the rotating earth. The widget is fully resizable for your desktop. Please let me know what you think of the new version of my orrery/calendar. If you like it, then feel free to leave a comment below.

The original Yahoo widget orrery for Windows/Macs has lots of functionality all of it written in javascript - The second version was adapted to run on xwidgets on windows. Next was the rainmeter version - the first of our steampunk widgets to be adapted to a rainmeter widget also running on Windows. The third is the Linux KDE plasmoid here adapted for Linux/KDE using QML. Each version is slightly different adding/modifying functionality. The latest version, this one provides a lot more and you simply have to give it a go.

Running the widget in a javascript engine frees javascript from only running within the captivity of a browser, you will now be able to run these widgets on your Windows/Linux/Mac desktop as long as you have an engine installed.

You will, of course, need Yahoo widgets for this widget to run. Get Yahoo widgets here.   

This widget works with Windows XP SP3, it has been tested on Vista, Windows 7 /8 and Mac Os/X so it should work on these with no problems. 

OS/X too as long as the Yahoo Widget runtime engine is loaded. Full instructions for this widget can be found here:

 Steampunk Orrery Calendar Clock 1.1.7 - was awarded the SOFTPEDIA "100% CLEAN" AWARD This product was last tested in the Softpedia Labs on 15th of March 2012 by Andreea Gheran Softpedia guarantees that Steampunk Orrery Calendar Clock 1.1.7 is 100% Clean, which means it does not contain any form of malware, including but not limited to: spyware, viruses, trojans and backdoors. This software product was tested thoroughly and was found absolutely clean; therefore, it can be installed with no concern by any computer user.

We perform an installation service - so we can steampunk your desktop if you want us too. If you have a Windows XP/Vista, Windows 7 PC or laptop we can add the steampunk widgets, the leather backdrop, rocketdock launcher and the steampunk icons. Just give us a call here . 

 >> Download Here

A Steam Punk Yahoo Widget for your Windows/Mac desktop, a fully working yahoo widget and it can be moved around your desktop looking very steampunk indeed. It displays a beautiful moon globe that you can resize at will and that will display through the phases according to any date supplied.

Instructions for use are here.  

You will, of course, need Yahoo widgets for this widget to run. Get Yahoo widgets here.   

and the Mac version here: http://desktopwidgets.zenfs.com/4.5.2x10a50/yahoo_widgets_4.5.2.dmg

As the widget is in beta do expect a small issue or two. Need to remove that red tap when the widget is being run on its own.

 >> Download Here

The Steampunk Underwidget is a 24hr clock that sits on your steampunk desktop looking as if it is part of that desktop. The underwidget is designed to work with the Steampunk Timekeeper Orrery MkII that has a transparent glass middle section that can be made fully opaque or fully transparent. When fully transparent the underwidget does its job acting as the orrery's internal gubbins. However, the underwidget does not need the orrery and can simply sit on the desktop on its own. It has a shadow that can be enabled to make it seem to sit deeper into the desktop in a three dimensional sense. The Underwidget works better with one of our existing background wallpapers that you can get here . You can see how it works from the image below. The widget really looks as if it is embedded into the actual desktop.

The underwidget is still beta and some bits may not work completely, although most bugs have now been fixed. Added dock vitality, correct layering inherited from the orrery widget. Still need to fix the installation image though.

Note that the widget is not just eye-candy, it also acts as a working 24hr clock, the single hand points to both the hour and minutes indicating the time. The cogs and wheels rotate providing a clockwork motion giving life to your static desktop.

The red tap removes the shadow and re-enables it each time you click upon it. You can even interact with each individual cog. Simply click on each.

Clicking on the upper winding point opens the widget's preferences. Whilst all these things are happening full sound effects are provided.

The widget can be locked into position by clicking on the outer ring. A locking pin will appear in position to indicate the widget is locked into place.

The underwidget can be seen doing its job through the orrery centre glass in the image below - note the cogs and the wheels, they are all moving.

You will, of course, need the Konfabulator engine for this widget to run. Get the Yahoo widget Konfabulator engine here.   

and the Mac version here: http://desktopwidgets.zenfs.com/4.5.2x10a50/yahoo_widgets_4.5.2.dmg

All javascript widgets need an engine to function, in this case the widget uses the Konfabulator widget engine. The engine interprets the javascript and creates the widget according to the XML description and using the images you provide.

This widget works with Windows XP SP3, it has been tested on Vista, Windows 7 /8 and Mac Os/X so it should work on all of these o/s with no problems. There is full help for this widget to be found here .

 >> Download Here

This Yahoo widget acts as a Widget 'AppStore' listing all the current widgets that are available from myself and Harry. NEW VERSION 1.1.4. The information is extracted using RSS feeds from our respective websites. The three widget screens show the current categories, descriptions and images of each selected widget and a download button allow the selected widget to be downloaded and then installed.

The widget is using the Lucida Blackletter Gothic font but you can configure it to use any font you have installed.

We created this due to the demise of the old Yahoo widget gallery. Now there is a place for dedicated widgeteers to parade our widgets. When this widget is installed, you will be able to list and download any of our widgets at the touch of a button.

Soon, it will be possible to add your own feed to the list so that the widget will show your own widgets. You can then redistribute it so that others can find and download your widgets.

You will, of course, need Yahoo widgets for this widget to run. Get Yahoo widgets here.   

and the Mac version here: http://desktopwidgets.zenfs.com/4.5.2x10a50/yahoo_widgets_4.5.2.dmg

  Full instructions for the Widget Vault are here: Instructions for the Widget Vault

 >> Download Here

A Steam Punk Yahoo Widget for your Windows/Mac desktop, a fully working yahoo widget and it can be moved around your desktop looking very steampunk indeed. It displays a beautiful rotating earth that you can resize at will. This is now version 1.0.1 which fixes a bug with regard to running commands on Mac OS/X and it also makes sure it does not get lost when pushed too far off-screen.

Instructions for use are here. 

You will, of course, need Yahoo widgets for this widget to run. Get Yahoo widgets here.   

 >> Download Here

A Wonderful Steampunk theme for Windows 7, created by razorsedge and included here with his kind permission. Razorsedge bundles my widgets with his theme so in return I offer his theme here. The theme Includes a custom sound pack, custom cursors, an explorer frame, start button image, shell32 images and various wallpapers. When used with the steampunk widgets, rocketdock and my icons you have a truly steampunk desktop.

The theme is quite a large one (20mb download). Razorsedge's theme contains elements from Mordasius, Samantha Wright and myself as well as originally imageryby Razorsedge.

Note: this theme is just the basic Windows 7 theme, it does NOT include all the widgets, all of icons nor the wallpapers. You'll have to get the others here: http://lightquick.co.uk/steampunk-widgets.html?Itemid=264

or download them via the widget vault here: http://lightquick.co.uk/downloads/widget-vault-a-steampunk-widget-appstore.html?Itemid=264

 >> Download Here

A Steam Punk Yahoo Widget for your Windows/Mac desktop, a fully working yahoo widget and it can be moved around your desktop looking very steampunk indeed. It tells the date/time in digital and analogue format with a swinging pendulum. It chimes and ticks too. It has full sounds for all operations, has fully working alarms and can be muted at the turn of a crank handle.

Instructions for use are here. 

* NEW VERSION *

Here is the beta MkII version 2.8 of a Steampunk clock & calendar yahoo widget created using photoshop and an idea from the PC computer game WOTW *1

The real changes provided in the latest version are the ability to resize the clock, the new day of the week indicator, the slider animation is much slicker, slider can be operated with your mouse scroll wheel, reduced cpu usage overall, lower cpu required by the pendulum swing action, many bugs fixed, slicker operation in general, standard 12 hour clock face, a right click menu with plenty of options and links, more documentation and more back end preferences to configure and play with. Some of the graphics have also been improved upon. In 2.8 - The pendulum animation now uses less cpu and a resizing bug has been fixed.

*1 - In this game there is a neat idea of time manipulation where the game play is speeded up or slowed down by the use of a one-way time machine. This was done by moving an in-game gadget which displayed a calendar/clock in a very steampunk fashion. This was the source of my limited inspiration. I decided to use it as the visual core of a javascript program and then I realised that I could also create a Yahoo widget from it.

Note: This widget will continue to be supported regardless of the current state of yahoo widget engine support. It runs in XP/Vista/Windows 7, Windows 8 and Mac OS/X. If you have any problems please post your email queries to our contact page. I will endeavour to answer them as soon as I can.

You will, of course, need Yahoo widgets for this widget to run. Get Yahoo widgets here.   

 >> Download Here

XWIDGET Version 1.0.2 Steampunk Volume Widget

This is the most recent version of the Steampunk Volume XWidget that you could certainly use on your desktop. It is a lovely piece of eye-candy as well as being useful on your desktop. This is one of a small set of icons/widgets for your desktop, the others are a typical set of Victorian desktop acoutrements. You can control the volume level of your PC desktop by moving the slider or clicking on the mute button. Double-clicking on the widget will cause a personalised Windows application to fire up. The first time you run it there will be no assigned function and so it will state as such - then it will pop up the preferences so that you can enter the command of your choice. The Xwidget takes command line-style commands for windows.

These widgets work with Windows XP SP3, they have also been tested on Vista Home, Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit, Windows 8 and it should work on all these with no problems whatsoever.   You will of course need to download and install the Xwidget engine first - which you can get here:

Here is just one more over 250 steampunk icons/widgets that I have created that will leave your Windows desktop looking absolutely spiffing. There is a whole set of the little thingies and I must say they do look very steampunk indeed! They really are a suitable replacement for the boring old default icons that come with Rocketdock/ObjectDock &c.

This widget and the others like it will spruce up your desktop and give it a bit of Victorian class. Full instructions can be found here:

(If you want a version that runs on Mac os/X then you'll need this version here)

Android version coming soon!

 >> Download Here

Yahoo Widget Version 1.0.4 Steampunk Volume Widget

This is the latest version of the Steampunk Volume Widget that you could certainly use on your desktop. It is a lovely piece of eye-candy as well as being useful on your desktop. This is one of a small set of icons/widgets for your desktop, the others are a typical set of Victorian desktop acoutrements. You can control the volume level of your PC/Mac desktop by moving the slider or clicking on the mute button. Double-clicking on the widget will cause a personalised Windows/Mac application to fire up. The first time you run it there will be no assigned function and so it will state as such - then it will pop up the preferences so that you can enter the command of your choice. The widget takes command line-style commands for windows or Mac OS/X.

The widget is a Yahoo widget and it needs the yahoo widget engine. You can get that http://lightquick.co.uk/jdownloads/yahoo-widget-sdk-and-runtime-engine.html?Itemid=264

Here is just one more over 250 steampunk icons tha t I have created that will leave your Windows or Mac desktop looking absolutely spiffing. There is a whole set of the little thingies and I must say they do look very steampunk indeed! They really are a suitable replacement for the boring old default icons that come with Rocketdock/ObjectDock &c.

This widget and the others like it will spruce up your desktop and give it a bit of Victorian class. Full instructions can be found here:

You will, of course, need Yahoo widgets for this widget to run. Get Yahoo widgets here.   

and the Mac version here:

 The current version does NOT control the system volume for Vista & Win7/8 systems due to some changes in the way these systems allow apps to control the master volume. It works as intended on XP and Macs. I have to make some changes to the code to allow it to fully function as intended on NT6 systems.  Changes have been made in a newer version (under test now) to handle NT6 systems (Vista, 7 and 8) but it is all a but clunky so I suggest you use the XWIDGET version.

NOTE: There is an identical widget that works beautifully on Vista/Win7 + 8, it is the Xwidget version here:

http://lightquick.co.uk/downloads/steampunk-volume-xwidget.html?Itemid=264

On Windows NT6 systems (Vista +) use the XWidget version.

 >> Download Here

KDE Plasmoid Orrery Timekeeper Widget for Linux

This is the Steampunk Orrery widget - it provides an orrery function via a truly steampunk interface. Select a date via the calendar ring and click the date shown and it will allow you to view the planetary movements of the moon and the earth. You can use the ring to select the future or past and whilst you are doing so the orrery will allow you to reflect on the passage of time and the true nature of this force that controls our lives. Well, it might...

The calendar ring rotates by mouse control, the date displays according to ring position. The inner earth and moon rotate, the moon around the earth. The earth rotates around the central glow, roughly following the track of the window circular frame. The developer known as 'joker' has used my original graphics and my design but simply enhanced the functionality in respect of the planetary movement and the co-ordination of the various components. A very good job I say...

The original Yahoo widget orrery for Windows/Macs has lots of functionality all of it written in javascript - The second version was adapted to run on xwidgets on windows. Next was the rainmeter version - our first rainmeter widget also for Windows. The third is the Linux KDE plasmoid here for Linux/KDE. Each version is slightly different adding/modifying functionality. Running the widget in a javascript engine frees it from only running within the browser, you will now be able to run on your Windows/Linux/Mac desktop as long as you have an engine installed.

This widget works with Kubuntu Linux 13.04 with KDE4.x.
Installing: plasmapkg -i timekeeper-#.#.#.plasmoid

Dependencies :
KDE (Plasmoids) kdebase-workspace
Marble Virtual Globe plugin (kdeedu-marble)

for Gentoo: emerge marble
for Arch Linux: pacman -S kdeedu-marble
for Kubuntu 13.04: sudo apt-get install marble marble-plugins
sudo mkdir -p /usr/lib/qt4/imports/
sudo ln -s /usr/lib/kde4/plugins/marble/15/org /usr/lib/qt4/imports/org

 >> Download Here

This is the latest version of the magnifier widget that you could use on your desktop equipped with the yahoo widget engine. It is a lovely piece of eye-candy as well as being useful on your desktop. This is one of a small set of icons/widgets for your desktop, the others are a typical set of Victorian desktop acoutrements. Double-clicking on the stamp will cause a personalised Windows/Mac application to fire up. The first time you run it there will be no assigned function and so it will state as such - then it will pop up the preferences so that you can enter the command of your choice. The widget takes command line-style commands for windows or Mac OS/X.

The widget is a Yahoo widget and it needs the yahoo widget engine. You can get that http://lightquick.co.uk/jdownloads/yahoo-widget-sdk-and-runtime-engine.html?Itemid=264

Here is just one more over 250 steampunk icons that I have created that will leave your Windows or Mac desktop looking absolutely spiffing. There is a whole set of the little thingies and I must say they do look very steampunk indeed! They really are a suitable replacement for the boring old default icons that come with Rocketdock/ObjectDock &c.

This widget and the others like it will spruce up your desktop and give it a bit of Victorian class. Full instructions can be found here:

 >> Download Here

Weather reporting the steampunk way!

This is our steampunk contribution to weather reporting. The Steampunk weather widget is based on the Digistation widget written by: Bogdan Irimia, enhanced and steampunked by Dean Beedell with kind permission of Bogdan.

Note: This widget will continue to be supported regardless of the current state of yahoo widget engine support. It runs in XP/Vista/Windows 7, Windows 8 and Mac OS/X.

New version 1.0.8 - The widget has been given a completely new steampunk outer skin and some new functionality.

As well as a reskin a twenty-four hour clock has been added to the circumference of the weather gauge . Other minor changes include: Changed all the calculations of the pointer angles to use simpler calculations saving cpu time; separated the .kon file and .js;  animated the pointers to count down on startup; added code to allow widget to be resized; fixed some translations ; changed the default location to London Heathrow; added 'vitality' to the dock icon, animated the temperature gauge switch-over, added sounds to the main functions.

Full instructions for the Steampunk Weather Widget are here: Download Instructions 

You will, of course, need Yahoo widgets for this widget to run. Get Yahoo widgets here.   

and the Mac version here:

 >> Download Here

British Penny Red Stamp Widget simply displays an 1840s penny red on your desktop. Double-clicking on the stamp will cause a personalised Windows/Mac application to fire up. The first time you run it there will be no assigned function and so it will state as such and then pop up the preferences so that you can enter the command of your choice. The widget takes command line-style commands for windows or Mac OS/X.  Useful for a steampunk desktop or for a mad philatelist.

You will, of course, need Yahoo widgets for this widget to run. Get Yahoo widgets here.   

 This widget works with Windows XP SP3, it has been tested on Vista, Windows 7 /8 and Mac OS/X. Full Instructions can be found here:

We perform an installation service - so we can steampunk your desktop if you want us too. If you have a Windows XP/Vista, Windows 7 PC or laptop we can add the steampunk widgets, the leather backdrop, rocketdock launcher and the steampunk icons. Just give us a call here

 >> Download Here

Here is our latest widget - the Steampunk Resource Monitor. The resource monitor will allow you to monitor your system's resource usage on a second by second basis using a human-friendly steampunk interface.

The Resource Monitor is a Yahoo widget that runs on your desktop behind all your applications so it does not interfere with your day to day computer functionality. It displays cpu, memory, wireless and battery information as well as drive usage. I hope you think it is fun as well as being very useful. It reports performance information successfully on single core, dual core, tri-core, quad core and multi-threaded quad core systems.  We will be adding features to the widget regularly so keep an eye out here.

It runs on Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and the new Windows o/s called Metro or something, oh yes, Windows 8...  the next version will also run on Mac OS/X - You will of course need the Yahoo widget engine which you can get here.

The  widget functionality is self-explanatory, tinker with it and you will soon get to grips with it. See the full instructions and diagram here for a fuller explanation .

Installation:

1. Install Yahoo widget runtime engine first

2. Download the widget

3. When downloaded it should prompt you to ask what you should do with this widget. Tell it to open with Yahoo widgets.

As this widget uses the yahoo widget runtime it means it will run on Macs and Windows PCs with no changes whatsoever. You will need the Yahoo widget runtime for this widget to run.

Get Yahoo widgets here.   

 >> Download Here

This is the latest version of a widget that you could certainly use on your desktop. It is a lovely piece of eye-candy as well as being useful on your desktop. This is one of a small set of icons/widgets for your desktop, the others are the 'God of War', the planet Mars, Saturn and of course, the Earth. Double-clicking on the stamp will cause a personalised Windows/Mac application to fire up. The first time you run it there will be no assigned function and so it will state as such - then it will pop up the preferences so that you can enter the command of your choice. The widget takes command line-style commands for windows or Mac OS/X.

The widget is a Yahoo widget and it needs the yahoo widget engine. You can get that http://lightquick.co.uk/jdownloads/yahoo-widget-sdk-and-runtime-engine.html?Itemid=264

Here is just one more over 170 steampunk icons that I have created that will leave your Windows or Mac desktop looking absolutely spiffing. There is a whole set of the little thingies and I must say they do look very steampunk indeed! They really are a suitable replacement for the boring old default icons that come with Rocketdock/ObjectDock &c.

This widget and the others like it will spruce up your desktop and give it a bit of Victorian class. Full instructions can be found here:

 >> Download Here

This is a widget that you could certainly use on your desktop. It is a lovely piece of eye-candy. This is part of a small set of icons/widgets for your desktop, the next is the 'God of War', the planet Mars.

The widget earth is a moveable widget that you can move anywhere around the desktop as you require. The widget is usable on both Windows and Macs.

The widget is a Yahoo widget and it needs the yahoo widget engine. You can get that http://lightquick.co.uk/jdownloads/yahoo-widget-sdk-and-runtime-engine.html?Itemid=264

Here is just one more over 250 steampunk icons that I have created that will leave your Windows or Mac desktop looking absolutely spiffing. There is a whole set of the little thingies and I must say they do look very steampunk indeed! They really are a suitable replacement for the boring old default icons that come with Rocketdock/ObjectDock &c.

This widget and the others like it will spruce up your desktop and give it a bit of Victorian class. Instructions can be found here:

 >> Download Here

Here is just one more over 20 widgets and 170 steampunk icons that I have created that will leave your Windows or Mac desktop looking absolutely spiffing. There is a whole set of the little thingies and I must say they do look very steampunk indeed! They really are a suitable replacement for the boring old default icons that come with Windows and Macs &c.

This widget and the others like it will spruce up your desktop and give it a bit of Victorian class. Instructions can be found here:

 >> Download Here

A set of Christmas themed Yahoo Bauble Widget for your Windows/Mac desktop. A set of fully working yahoo widgets that can be moved around your desktop looking very Christmassie indeed. They need to be removed from your desktop by January 5th.

Note: The widgets run in XP/Vista/Windows 7, Windows 8 and Mac OS/X. If you have any problems please post your email queries to our contact page. I will endeavour to answer them as soon as I can.

Instructions for use are here.  

You will, of course, need Yahoo widgets for this widget to run. Get Yahoo widgets here.   

and the Mac version here: http://desktopwidgets.zenfs.com/4.5.2x10a50/yahoo_widgets_4.5.2.dmg

 >> Download Here

This is the Yahoo Widget SDK and Runtime Engine that you will need to run my widgets. This is the Windows version that runs on Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8.

 What does it do?

"The Yahoo Widget engine uses a JavaScript runtime environment combined with an XML interpreter to run small applications referred to as widgets, and hence is part of a class of software applications called widget engines.

Each widget runs in its own system process, separate from other widgets and the main Yahoo Widget system process itself, thus improving the stability of the software application as a whole. Should a problem occur with a Yahoo widget requiring it to be shut down, that particular widget can be shut down without affecting other widgets or the main Yahoo Widget engine application."

Which, in English means it puts the yahoo widget dock on your desktop ready for any widget to run.  So, to run any one of my widgets, install the Yahoo widget engine first, then just download my widget and the Yahoo widget engine will run it.

Click the big download button at the top right of the page to get then windows version.

The Mac version is here:

We perform an installation service - so we can steampunk your desktop if you want us too. If you have a Windows XP/Vista, Windows 7 PC or laptop we can add the steampunk widgets, the leather backdrop, rocketdock launcher and the steampunk icons. Just give us a call here. 

(Stirling engine image courtesy of Jos DeVink from the Netherlands)

 >> Download Here

This is the reference manual for Yahoo Widgets (previously known by the name of Konfabulator). This manual details everything you need to know about creating Yahoo widgets. It is quite technical so don't expect a beginner's guide.

 >> Download Here

This is the Steampunk Orrery widget - it provides a clock and calendar function via a truly steampunk interface. This is the Rainmeter version so, you will,  of course, need the Rainmeter engine for this skin to run. This skin works with Windows Rainmeter version 2.5 beta and later.

This widget is a collaboration between myself and Mordasius (Qeon).  It is now a simple rainmeter skin, ready to run - give it a go.

The original Yahoo widget orrery for Windows/Macs has lots of functionality all of it written in javascript - The second version was adapted to run on xwidgets on windows. Next was the rainmeter version - our first rainmeter widget also for Windows. The third is the Linux KDE plasmoid here for Linux/KDE. Each version is slightly different adding/modifying functionality. Running the widget in a javascript engine frees it from only running within the browser, you will now be able to run on your Windows/Linux/Mac desktop as long as you have an engine installed. Get Rainmeter here.  

Please feel free to download this skin, trial it and see what you think of it. Please give me any suggestions you would like to make regarding functionality. If you like it, then feel free to leave a comment below. We perform an installation service - so we can steampunk your desktop if you want us too. If you have a Windows XP/Vista, Windows 7 PC or laptop we can add the steampunk widgets, the leather backdrop, rocketdock launcher and the steampunk icons. Just give us a call here. 

 >> Download Here

This is the Steampunk Orrery Xwidget - it provides a clock and calendar function via a truly steampunk interface. This is the XWidget version, so you will, of course, need the Xwidget engine for this skin to run.

This widget is a collaboration between myself and Harry whitfield.  It is now a simple XWidget, ready to run - give it a go.

The original Yahoo widget orrery for Windows/Macs has lots of functionality all of it written in javascript - The second version was adapted to run on xwidgets on windows. Next was the rainmeter version - our first rainmeter widget also for Windows. The third is the Linux KDE plasmoid here for Linux/KDE. Each version is slightly different adding/modifying functionality. Running the widget in a javascript engine frees it from only running within the browser, you will now be able to run on your Windows/Linux/Mac desktop as long as you have an engine installed. Get the Xwidget engine here.  

 >> Download Here

This is the Steampunk temperature gauge that monitors your computer's cpu and gpu temperatures, providing alarms and access to utilities that monitor your computers cpu usage and memory. This is a Yahoo  widget.

The thermometer will return valid temperatures initially one will be that of the GPU and one other sensor. However, the current version cannot guarantee it will start with the CPU temperature but it does its best! Due to the nature of the speedfan API it does not return names of sensors but just temperatures, so we have to do some guessing... If you are going to download this widget then please tell me if it does not work on your machine here :

Widget - Actual size on your desktop! First of all, please be aware that this is a widget that is in beta.  

This is a widget and you will, of course, need Yahoo widget engine for this widget to run. Get Yahoo widgets here. 

This widget works with Windows XP SP3, it should work on all NT5 systems (Win 2000 and server 2003). Due to the extra security restrictions on NT6 systems (Vista, Win7) some functionality will be restricted on the later versions of windows. This is hopefully being fixed.

MAC users! - This widget has specific Windows functionality and although it will eventually work for Macs too it does not at the moment. If you have any problems please post your email queries to me here. Your post will go onto the blog and I will endeavour to answer them as soon as I can.

 >> Download Here

This widget is a simple interface to the standard colour picker as provided by Windows or the Mac OS. A single click on the colour ball causes the colour picker to appear. When you have chosen the colour to use, the widget displays the hexadecimal value of the colour so that you can copy/paste that value into your website development IDE or other tool.

You will, of course, need Yahoo widgets for this widget to run. Get Yahoo widgets here.  

This widget has really just been given a steampunk facelift as it is based upon the colour picker widget from Merlin ('arry Whitfield). Harry has created loads of gorgeously efficient Yahoo widgets that range from enigma decoding machines to resistor calculators. Harry's widgets are always fascinating, well-coded and do the job, however none of them are quite steampunk enough for me! So, I have taken on the challenge of steampunkifying one of Harry's widgets, the colour picker widget. I do hope you like it.

We perform an installation service - so we can steampunk your desktop if you want us too. If you have a Windows XP/Vista, Windows 7 PC or laptop we can add the steampunk widgets, the leather backdrop, rocketdock launcher and the steampunk icons. Just give us a call here . 

 >> Download Here

Retro-computing can be fun and it is in the spirit of retro-computing that I bring news to you all of a superb bit of programming from Kroah (Pascal).  Kroah has reverse-engineered the 1980s classic strategy game Colonial Conquest.

Why would you want to run a game from the late 80s? Well some of the old games are actually quite good. Colonial Conquest is a good example, this game was a staple of all strategy gamers. It is a turn-based world domination game set in the time of the great colonial expansions of the 1880s. The main players are all the great world powers of the time. The game is turn-based and up to 6 players can play in a LAN or over the internet. The AI is tough to beat and a game can often be interesting and challenging. Kroah has implemented Colonial Conquest with internet support and enhancements over the original game such as bugfixes to the original logic, the implementation of simultaneous turns, preliminary support for custom ArtificiaI Intelligence and the addition of game and player statistics.

Gameplay is as good now as it was in the 80s, when your graphics are limited then you need to come up with good gameplay. This is what makes some retro games playable to this day. When I want to relieve myself of some stress I find that running colonial conquest is a really efficient  relaxation method. The game is an advance on the old game-staple 'Risk' and in the complexity stakes sits somewhere between Risk and Diplomacy. If you play a quiet game subverting neutral countries and avoiding conflicts with your neighbours, you can prevent war breaking out and play a quiet game of building up your defences until you are stabbed in the back by a jealous super-power. You can set out from the start building up a beligerent and bellicose war policy and attack your neighbours as you see fit, though this may mean you leave the game early. The game is fun and if you have never played it before, like turn-based strategy games then you will enjoy colonial conquest. If you haven't tried retro games then this is a good place to start. If like me, you remember staying up late to play CC on your Atari 512ST with your teenage mates then try Kroah's downloads page and grab yourself some nostalgia. 

 >> Download Here

If you want to create widgets from Photoshop then this is the script you will need to create widgets for the yahoo widget engine. Just place it in: \Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop CS\Presets\Scripts and Photoshop will find it. As long as your photoshop art is in groups, layers or layer sets then the widget script will create a fully functioning yahoo widget from the open PSD file.

Below are the instructions on how to create a yahoo widget from a Photoshop PSD file:

Visit the page

 >> Download Here

Essential widget development tool. The Yahoo widget converter does what it says on the tin. It unzips a widget so you can get at all the internal gubbins, scripts, XML and PNG files. It also turns that same load of files into a widget after you have modified them. A very useful tool if you want to extract resources from a Yahoo widget so that you can convert it yourself into any other widget engine.

You simply drag a .widget file to this widget and it will convert the file into a normal windows folder which you can open and see all the programming gubbins.

 >> Download Here

Xwidget Engine - guaranteed no malware in the installation process! I have created my own version of the XWIDGET installation zipfile in which I have personally checked every file for any malware. There is just a straight zipfile which you can open at your leisure.

I will keep this zipfile updated and if you ever need a secure source for the Xwidget engine come here first. 

READ THIS: I created this version as the original source (Xwidget.com) bundled adware. After a vigorous discussion with the developers the version from the Xwidget site (Xwidget.com) no longer has any adware built into the installation process. Feel free to use this version though if you still have qualms...